The front-runner to become Argentina’s new president in October elections has placed a question mark over the EU-Mercosur trade pact.

The Beef Plan Movement said it has no immediate plans for more protests in their dispute with meat factories.

Tensions between protesting beef farmers and meat producers have escalated after an industry body said its members will seek legal action against the farmers who have been picketing outside factories causing significant production problems and layoffs.

Farmers are exiting suckler production and beef cattle finishing in unprecedented numbers, according to the Beef Plan Movement.

The Beef Plan Movement is in Munster for the next forthnight, with four public meetings arranged in its quest to engage with over 40,000 farmers throughout Ireland, and to explain and to improve their 86-point plan for redressing shortfalls, obstacles and difficulties confronting Irish beef farmers.

Having a beef producer group of 40,00 members was highlighted as a lever to lower input costs and put pricing pressure on factories, at the Beef Plan meeting in Kanturk.